Treatment of scabies infestations

Abstract

Scabies is an intensely pruritic disorder induced by an immune allergic response to infestation of the skin by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The biology of the mite, the clinical aspects and diagnosis of scabies infestations as well as the treatment of choice with 5 % permethrin dermal cream and the use of scabicides based on other chemical substances are reviewed.

Keywords

• scabies
• treatment
• permethrin
• crotamiton
• sulphur
• benzyl benzoate
• gamma benzenehexachloride
• ivermectin